The low-cost airline Ryanair is threatening to cut service to ten French airports. If the announcement, given through the press, has not been made official, concern is growing among managers of Limoges airport where 85% of air traffic is provided by this company.
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“We will close these lines because, with this tax, they are not economically viable.” These words are those of Jason McGuinness, managing director of the Irish company. The information, published in the columns of our colleagues in Le Figaro, raises alarm about the future of air transport in the region. The low cost airline is one of the last to still serve Limoges airport.
The threat of no longer transporting passengers to certain French airports was decided due to the tax on plane tickets.
“It would simply be a catastrophe if it were to happen,” reacts Émile Roger Lombertie, the mayor of Limoges, contacted by telephone this Thursday morning. Even if we have to talk about it in the conditional for the moment, the news had the effect of a bomb in the economic community in Limoges.
“Limoges airport has around a hundred people dependent on the activity of the platform. If Ryanair were to stop, we would try to find other operators, but it would be a little complicated “estimates Philippe Thibaut, director of the airport.
Nothing is decided. We will do everything within our power to discuss with Ryanair.
Philippe ThibautDirector of Limoges Airport
The vote on an amendment by the deputies, on November 8, on the increase in the “Chirac tax” ignited the powder. This international solidarity tax on plane tickets is levied on the price of the tickets. The National Assembly voted for its increase, as part of the 2025 budget.
In response, the low-cost airline is threatening to no longer serve ten airports in France and Limoges could be affected. Ryanair is accustomed to these brutal announcements. With more than 85% of air traffic in Limoges, more than 250,000 passengers transported per year. Occupancy rates are around 80% across all destinations. “We take this announcement very seriously. We are extremely worried,” comments Pierre Massy, president of the Limoges CCI.
We will have to react very seriously. The arrival of the Minister of Transport next Friday will undoubtedly be the moment to ask us for help. We cannot stay without a plane for Paris, without means of transportation, like all the other cities in France.
Pierre MassyPresident of the Limoges CCI
For the moment, Ryanair remains unreachable. Its director, through the press, maintains pressure on the French government. It remains to be seen whether the latter will persist in maintaining the increase in “Chirac tax”.
